Double blow for Athletic as Vivian and Berenguer set to miss Levante clash
Athletic Club face injury concerns ahead of crucial Liga and Copa del Rey fixtures, with key defenders doubtful for midweek Valencia cup tie
Athletic Club’s injury woes continue as Ernesto Valverde confirms two key players will miss this weekend’s league action, with their Copa del Rey availability also in serious doubt.
League focus despite cup excitement
With a massive Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia looming on Wednesday, Valverde is attempting to keep his squad focused on Sunday’s La Liga clash with Levante. The gaffer insists the league match “is what matters most right now” despite the obvious excitement building around their cup campaign.
However, Athletic’s preparations for both fixtures have been hampered by some significant fitness concerns:
- Daniel Vivian has been sidelined since January 24th when he featured against Sevilla
- The defender missed the Champions League match against Sporting Portugal due to adductor problems
- His injury appears more serious than initially reported, having now missed multiple matches
- Alex Berenguer is also unavailable following an injection to manage pain in his right foot
- Both players are confirmed absent for the Levante match and remain serious doubts for the cup semi-final
Valverde philosophical about cup draw
Despite these setbacks, Valverde remains positive about Athletic’s cup prospects, calling it “a stroke of luck” to be involved in a semi-final of this magnitude.
“Any opponent from the draw was going to be complicated,” Valverde noted at Lezama training ground, acknowledging the challenge ahead. “It will be beautiful and difficult. There will be tension - that’s what a semi-final is.”
Valencia victory a potential springboard
The manager hopes their recent victory in Valencia will provide momentum across both competitions. “Winning in Valencia was a joy for everyone,” Valverde reflected. “These are opportunities that don’t always happen and you have to take them.”
He compared the situation to their European performance against Atalanta, saying: “We did it in Bergamo when everyone had written us off.”
With just two training sessions between Sunday’s league fixture and Wednesday’s cup semi-final first leg, Athletic’s depth will be severely tested in what could be a defining week for their season.